Banjo



y 10, 1932- J. PROVIDENTI 1,858,171

BANJO Filed Feb. 17, 1951 2. sheets-Sheet l ght. a '3 A tlor nc y May 10, 1932- J. PROVIDENT] BANJO Filed Feb. 17, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet I n venior Jaz afi fraaz 03. 2252 A liomey' Patented May 10, 1932 UNITED STATES JOSEPH PROVIDENTI, OF CHARLESTON, WEST VIRGINIA BANJO Application filed February 17, 1931.

his invention relates to an improved banjo involving a refined body construction applicable to either the conventional five string banjo, or to the tenor and plectrum types of banjo.

It is a matter of common knowledge to those skilled in the art to which the invention relates that ordinary banjos have an adjustable drum-like or skin head which is suscepti- "iQ ble to varying defects according to weather and atmospheric conditions. Then too, as a general rule, the ordinary banjo is equipped with a resonator. The usual resonator is provided with a multiplicity of annular tone holes. The body of the conventional banjo, that is, the rim is as a general rule. imperforate.

The present inventive conception involves an idea requiring a change in the construcw tion of details designed to permit the development of a more resonant and voluminous quality of tone of a loud and full resounding sonorous character this being accomplished by constructing the banjo with the following distinguishable characteristic details.

First, my improved banjo includes a onepiece disc-like wooded head rigidly secured to the shell or rim of the body and preferably constructed of spruce wood of a select-ed and well-seasoned variety, whereby to provide a sensitive and vibrant rest for the bridge.

Secondly, the improved banjo body is individualized when compared with prior art devices in that it includes an all-wood, preferably spruce wood resonator, permanently attached to the rim of the instrument of a greater diameter than said rim, said resonator being imperforate for the purpose of prolongation and reinforcement of sound by sympathetic vibration.

Third, the annular shell or rim of the body is of wood and provided with circumferentially spaced relatively large tone holes designed to allow free emanation of sound waves.

The purpose of a composite wooden structure of the above type is to provide a system atic organization or ensemble of parts which co-operate in a coherent and harmonious manner to provide the quality of tone which Serial No. 516,420.

is most loud and resonant and characterized by appealing carrying properties.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a banjo constructed in accordance with the present inventive conception.

Figure 2 is a side elevation or edge view of the same.

Figure 3 is a horizontal section on the line 38 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a cross section on the line l% of Figure 3.

In Figure 1, and the following Figure 2 it will be observed that the resonator is denoted generally by the reference character 5, the head is indicated at 6 and the annular shell or rim at- 7. The neck 8 is conventional in length and proportion and provided with customary frets 9 and with tuning pegs or keys 10. The strings are indicated at 11, fastened to the 70 customary tail piece 12 and passed over a conventional bridge 13 seated on the head as is usual.

The improved head 6 is formed from a single ply of spruce wood and is rigidly secured to the top edge of the rim 7. Around the peripheral edge of the head is a protecting and ornamental band 14. The resonator comprises spruce wood including a disc-like part 15 having an ornamental and marginal protecting band 16.

As is customary, the resonator is of a diameter greater than both the head and shell of the body. The shell is also of wood and includes suitably lined circumferentially spaced tone holes 17 for escape of the sound waves. The resonator also includes a ring-like part of L-shaped cross section whose vertical flange is indicated at 18 and whose horizontal flange is indicated at 19. Both of these flanges as well as the disc 15 are imperforate.

On the interior of the disc 15 are reinforcing strips 20. It is evident from the description and drawings that the improvement and construction resides only in the body of the instrument. It may be added however that the head or top 6 is preferably provided with a suitable shaped tone outlet opening as indicated at 21 in Figure 1.

I shall not attempt to expound the theory on which the improved tonal results are founded for it is difiicult to lmow just why it is that this particular all-wood hollow body with the tone holes in the rim provides for what I believe to be, a more pleasing and desirable quality of tone as compared to the usual harsh sounding banjos particularly of the tenor variety.

It is thought that the description taken in connection with the drawings will enable a clear understanding of the invention to be had. Therefore, a more lengthy description is thought unnecessary.

While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, it is to be understood that minor changes co1ning within the field of invention claimed may be resorted to if desired.

I claim:

An all-wood banjo body comprising an annular rim provided with ciroumferentially spaced tone holes, a relatively thin disc-like head of spruce wood forming a top for the rim and rigidly secured to the adjacent edge 23 of said rim, a two part resonator comprising a disc-like part of a diameter greater than the head and rim, said disc-like part being of one solid piece of spruce wood, the remainingpart of the resonator including an iman perforate ring-like member of general L- shaped cross section having one flange secured rigidly to the marginal edge portion of the disc-like part and having its remaining flange secured to the exterior face of the lower remaining edge portion of said rim, said last named flange being disposed in a plane spaced from the aforesaid tone holes.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

JOSEPH PROV'IDENTI. 

